The Senate Education Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to prohibit commercial standardized testing for students in kindergarten through second grade.

The bill, S-2766, will protect New Jersey’s youngest students from being subjected to identical standardized assessments that are developed and scored by a commercial entity under contract with a board of education.

“While it is vital that teachers and administrators have the resources they need to track a child’s progress and ensure that students are ready for college and careers, many have expressed concern that children are being subjected to rigid, commercial standardized assessments at far too young an age,” said Senator Singer. “By passing legislation that prohibits schools from administering these assessments to students in this age group, we are ensuring that children can learn and grow in a nurturing environment, monitored and organized by the teachers and staff familiar with their individual needs.”

Senator Singer’s bill does not prohibit a classroom teacher or board of education from developing, administering, and scoring their own assessment to students in kindergarten through second grade.

“This legislation will give teachers the freedom to discover the best method for helping students who are falling behind, while providing stimulating assignments for those who might be ahead of the curve,” added Senator Singer.

The legislation would take affect at the start of the first school year after the date of enactment.

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